The 1930s

Looking back at these photos of the 1930s Depression era, life seemed so hard. Around 15 million in the U.S. alone were unemployed, and half of the banks had failed. Life was especially hard for those who were older and who lived in rural America where the Depression and the Dust Bowl dealt a double whammy. See what life was like for the common man and woman during the 1930's Great Depression.

In the 1930's fur was very popular in fashion- so were sequins and a long line - and the influence of movie stars on fashion began to grow. Perhaps the glamor was a needed relief from the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl. Or perhaps the popularity of that new medium "the talkies" and the ability to make more complex movies, such as musicals, made dressing up more glamorous and fun. The beautiful gowns of the 1930's are still a fashion influence today on the Red Carpet, but some things like wearing real fur is now out of date. Do you recognize the similarities to today’s fashion?

The kidnapping of the famous aviator and explorer Charles Lindbergh's first child took center stage during the 1930s. Lindbergh's celebrity and fame fueled public outrage over the crime, catapulting this kidnapping to the forefront of news, leading to a booby trap ransom, the 'trial of the century', the creation of Congress' Federal Kidnapping Act or the "Lindbergh Law" and the execution by electric chair of a kidnapper who plead his innocence until the end. Why did the kidnapping of Charles Lindbergh Jr. cause this national frenzy? To understand the importance and impact of this sad event, it's important to explore how Charles achieved hero status and the details of the kidnapping on March 1st, 1932.

On March 4th, 1933 was President Franklin D. Roosevelt's first inaugural speech addressing the fear of the nation. Fear has often played a part of American politics, but when unemployment was almost 25% during the depths of the Great Depression, his speech provided hope to a nation that was suffering. The most remembered part of his inaugural address was the phrase "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself"...

House dresses for the morning, afternoon dresses for going out, glamorous evening dresses and fur . . . women's fashion was expanding in the 1930's. During the 1930's, women still made their own clothing (lots of examples below, including a real sack dress), but manufactured dresses also came into their own and were actually cheaper. A dress for 49 cents - Really? That’s under $8.00 in today’s dollars! Discover 1930's fashion - a beautiful time for dressing and one that still influences designers today.

From the early 1930s through 1940, the Great Plains of the United States and Canada were devastated by dust storms, causing great economic and social anguish. Just mention the term 'Dust Bowl' and your mind immediately goes to the severe dust storms that impacted the American and Canadian prairies of the 1930s. Many farmers left their family farms and simply picked up and moved, leaving everything behind. When you see what these people faced and how they endured, you might begin to understand why.